G'day Paul (et al ... ),

I'm intrigued to see that your ( ... undoubtedly oldish ...) chromatic harmonica, made in what was alleged to be the German Democratic Republic claims :"Seydel System". I'm not sure if it is in any way different from the standard chromatic harmonica scheme ... but it is, presumably, made by the old East Saxony mouthorgan makers (~) Seydel und Sohne.

In Australia, until WorldWar 2, we had a vast range of well-made mouth organs branded "Boomerang" ... made for a Swiss-German luthier Albert who cme out here and did very well. He had a comprehensive range of Australly named mouthorgans (and some button accordions ..) that ranged from cheap ... but playable ... 'beginner' instruments ... to excellent chromatics - for those of that persuasion.

My first mouthorgan was a 10 hole vamper ... with a distinctive, well-crafted round-holed faceplate over the wooded frame ... so that I could play very smoothly ... and never have the annoyance (standard in those days ...) of wooden frames swelling up and interfering with playing. I still have that harp ... and admire the extra skill and work that the Sydel family put into their instruments!

Many Australian mouth organ players got their start on a (Seydel) aka Boomerang, mouthorgan ... and many careers were launched by the national competitions rung by Stanley, in the 1920s and early 1930s.

I hope your old chromatic scrubs up well ... and serves you well.

Regards,

Bob